Free Solar Quotes

Get Great Tips About Solar Energy That Are Simple To Use

Solar energy is quickly gaining popularity. Many people are now using it as a viable alternative energy in their homes. If you are unsure as to whether solar energy is right for you, you’ve come to the right place. The following article will help inform you of all the benefits solar energy has to offer.

Photo-voltaic solar panels come in two varieties. Less expensive poly-crystalline panels are not as efficient as the costlier mono-crystalline panels. Do not hesitate to invest in expensive solar panels to put together an efficient solar energy system.

You can help the environment by heating your water with solar energy. You can find solar systems in both tankless and standard water heaters. You can put these in a good location positioned on your roof.

Although adding a solar system is a big job, it does not take any major renovations. You will need to start with the outside lights and replace them with solar powered lights. They’ll charge up during the day to light all night, with exception of pre-dawn hours during long winter nights.

Don’t be scared off from solar energy because you see certain companies shutting their doors. Solar energy is a big part of the country’s future. It’s not only great for the environment; it also saves you a lot of cash. That’s a win-win across the board, and you’ll be happy for looking into it now.

Understand that even if you live in a colder climate, you can still use solar energy. Solar energy does not require direct sunlight or a particular temperature. Actually, many people feel that overcast days are the best days for solar energy production.

Before you pull the trigger and buy a system, take a look at how long the manufacturer guarantees the product for. You want a fairly long warranty because the system will have to pay for itself over time and help you begin to generate a profit. Therefore, make sure the warranty is for at least 25 years.

Be prepared to keep your solar panels clean. The dirtier they get, the less efficient they are at generating power. While it is true that rain and wind can often take care of a lot of this for you, you do need to get up there sometimes and dust them off yourself.

If you are able to afford the cost and the necessary space, a panel system that tracks the sun is your best bet for power generation. This type of system tracks the sun over the course of the day and during all seasons. The cost is relatively steep compared to a fixed option, but the benefits more than outweigh the costs.

If you invest in a large solar energy system, you could actually make money off of it. If you can pull enough solar power with a collection of solar panels, you may be able to sell your excess electricity to neighbors or even the power company. Contact your local company to see if this could work for you.

If you often travel with your electronic, you should consider investing in solar-powered chargers. These chargers include a small solar panels that can generate enough power to charge your cell phone or another electronic device such as a laptop. There are even cases including a small solar charger designed for tablets.

Don’t underestimate the effect that shade can have on a solar panel’s output. One tree branch can produce enough shade to reduce the amount of solar energy produced by almost 80 percent and that’s without leaves. Take the time to properly situate any solar panels you install to maximize their efficiency.

Avoid walking on your installed solar panels. Remember that your panels are expensive and any kind of damage on their surface could reduce their efficiency. Never walk near the end of your solar panels, lest you break them.

Carefully consider the types of solar panels you plan on having installed. Long ago, if you didn’t have enough roof space, you’d need very expensive high efficiency mono-crystalline panels. There are now more advanced polycrystalline panels and even thin film panels. If you’ve got enough roof space, you might wish to look at the size of the panels in relation to their output capacity to avoid having insufficient panels that you need more of later.

A charge controller is a great addition to any solar array, specifically those that are working above 10 watts on a regular basis. These small devices act as “ON” and “OFF” switches to protect your batteries. They prevent overcharging from damaging your batteries and can provide more advanced charging options depending on the make and model.

As was mentioned earlier in this article, solar energy is quickly becoming a popular form of alternative energy in residential homes. Hopefully, you now have a better idea of all the benefits it can provide you. Use the information you’ve just read to help you make the decision as to whether or not solar energy is something that could benefit you.